17 YOEC Bochurim to be Farhered Live on Entire Masechta

Watch live at 7 PM ET: 17 bochurim from Yeshivas Ohr Elchonon Chabad mastered the entire masechta Kesubos baal peh, and will be tested by prominent Los Angeles rabbonim on live camera.

It is well known how much Nachas the Rebbe had when hearing about Bochurim learning a Masechta Baal Peh and ibergegebenkeit  (devotion) to learning. The Rebbe said countless times that the whole tafkid (job) and purpose of a Bochur is Limmud Hatorah.

In a remarkable display of hasmada and passion for Limud HaTorah, 17 bochurim from Yeshiva Ohr Elchonon Chabad (YOEC) in Los Angeles have accomplished an extraordinary feat: they have learned the entire Maseches Kesubos baal peh—by heart—over the course of the past year, and are now preparing for an official farher before a panel of esteemed rabbonim.

This ambitious project, which demanded unwavering focus, daily consistency, and tremendous Chayus, is now reaching its climax. The upcoming farher will test the bochurim on both their fluency in the Hemshech Hasugyos and understanding, of the nearly 112 daf that comprise Maseches Kesubos.

The 17 participants in this exceptional accomplishment are:

Shaya Bukiet
Mendel Gancz
Shmuel Kotlarsky
Nissen Lebovics
Levi Rav-Noy
Shmuel Rosenfeld
Shalom Schwartz
Menachem Sheinberger
Dov Silberberg
Mendel Wolvovsky (1)
Nechemia Segal
Chaim Bensimon
Yossi Heidingsfeld
Yankel Lieberman
Aaron Y. Makhlin
Sholom Rivkin
Mendel Zirkind

Each of these bochurim has shown extraordinary hasmada, dedicating hours each day to learning and reviewing the Masechta. The sight of Bochurim sitting and ‘Horeving’ over the whole Masechta has been nothing short of inspiring.

On the 17th of Teives 5738 (1978), the first group of Talmidim Hashuchim had a unique Yechidus with the Rebbe. The Rebbe emphasized that the goal of the Yeshivah is to be a Migdal Ohr – a light tower, to illuminate the entire city of Los Angeles through Neir Mitzvah V’torah Ohr.

The Shluchim of YOEC live by this vision and the strong desire of the Rebbe. Being a good role model themselves as well as by arranging special programs helping Bochurim strengthen their Limmud Hatorah and Kiyum Hamitzvos.

This initiative was spearheaded and guided by the dedicated Zal Shluchim.. With passion and dedication, they built a structure that kept the bochurim motivated and organized and offered constant encouragement along the way. 

The shluchim created an environment of serious learning and built the framework for the energy and passion to last all year.

Throughout the year, the bochurim learned 15 daf at a time, with a test Baal Peh every three weeks given by one of the Zal Shluchim. This system gave the bochurim consistent short-term goals and guided them in gaining a full Yidiah in the Masechta.

After completing the entire Masechta Kesubos, the bochurim dedicated an entire month to chazzara, reviewing the full Masechta from beginning to end. This intense period of learning is now culminating in a final Farher on the entire Masechta.

This wasn’t just a project of memorization. The goal was clarity, depth, and full ownership of the Gemara, with Rashi, key Sugyos, and foundational concepts.

The long-awaited Farher will be given by a distinguished panel of Rabbonim:

• Rav Yehoshua Millman, Rosh Kollel of Valley Village Kollel
  
• Rabbi Ezra Schochet, Rosh Yeshiva of YOEC
  
• Rabbi Amram Farkash, Rosh Mesivta of YOEC
  
• Rabbi Elchonon Tauber, Dayan of Kehillas Beis Yehuda

The respected Rabbonim will be evaluating the fluency, understanding, and ability to analyze and recall the Sugyos under the pressure of such a test.

Following the farher, a big Seudas Mitzvah will take place celebrating the bochurim’s tremendous accomplishment, followed by a Farbrengen marking the tremendous accomplishment and much Nachas that was given to the Rebbe.

Many of the participants have already expressed interest in continuing with additional Masechtos, seeking to build on the momentum and growth they’ve achieved this year.

In an era filled with distraction, the accomplishments of these 17 YOEC bochurim stand out as a testament to the Chayus the Bochurim have in Limmud Hatorah and devotion they have to giving the Rebbe Nachas and fulfilling his vision of the Yeshivah being a Migdal Ohr – a light tower, illuminating the entire city. Their journey is not only a personal accomplishment, but a inspiration—energizing the yeshiva, the broader Los Angeles community.

Special appreciation goes to the Zal Shluchim—namely, Avrohom Dovid Wilhelm, Sholom Lerman, Shneur Bukiet, and Mendy Zwick—whose tireless efforts and vision made this achievement possible. May these bochurim continue to rise ever higher in Torah, avodas Hashem, and Yiras Shamayim, leading to the coming of Moshiach, may it be speedily in our days!

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